Vehicle Spotlight: All-New Jeep Compass Trailhawk

Out With the Old…

2017 marks the dawning of a new era for the Jeep Brand. Compact crossover sales are expected to increase by 20 percent across the world in the next three years. And it is no surprise that Jeep finds itself in a position to be the global face of that phenomenon. The objective is to appeal to the everyday driver who wants an affordable way to get into this reliable brand. However, satisfying the base of lifelong Jeepheads expectant of premium performance from their rigs is a high priority. The new Jeep Compass Trailhawk best encapsulates the confluence of these two factions. This is a CUV for the masses with that trademark “go anywhere” panache that has been the brand’s calling card for three quarters of a century.

Say goodbye to the old Jeep Compass. And while you’re at it, say goodbye to the Jeep Patriot, its square-jawed sibling. The new Compass will to replace them both, its design sized between the Renegade and the much-heralded, larger Cherokee line. Jeep is preparing for a major shakeup in regards to new market demands for versatile crossovers. And they expect the Compass to be their best seller of all in a few short years.

Changing of the Guard

A decided upgrade from its middling predecessor, the new Compass’ mini-Cherokee vibe plans to attract buyers in global markets where its big brother is simply too large. Equipped across the board with a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine that puts out 180 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque, it is either paired with a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic, or a 9-speed automatic transmission (which is the one found in the Compass Trailhawk). Big sales worldwide don’t come without affordability, and an uber-reasonable $21,000 is enough to drive home a Compass Sport, the base model. While the Latitude and Limited packages each have their own spiffy upgrades, the Compass that Jeep is counting on to win over its loyal fan base is the Trailhawk Edition.

Trailhawk, the Jeep trim package specifically targeted at the off-roading set, improves on the performance of the standard compass in a number of ways. This package is already loved by off-roaders with both Renegades and Cherokees, and Jeep sees no reason why it won’t be a perfectly acceptable off-road option for those that opt to split the size difference.

All-Purpose Jeep Compass Trailhawk

The Compass Trailhawk has 17″ wheels and tires chosen with off-roading in mind. A half-inch suspension lift improves the ground clearance to 8.5 inches. Included is Jeep’s Active Drive Low all-wheel-drive system (as it is with the smaller Renegade Trailhawk). This optimizes the lowers gears in the Trailhawk’s 9-speed automatic. The model  also features skidplates for good measure to protect the undercarriage when it’s time to do some serious crawling. And with a low range with a 20-to-1 crawl ratio and some tow hooks thrown in for good measure, the Compass is ready to do just that.

Of course, Jeep hasn’t forsaken on-road performance either. The Trailhawk continues to impress with its suspension, chassis tuning, and smoother steering not commonly associated with its forbears. An alleged 30-mpg (highway) will appeal to consumers tired of saddling up to every gas pump they amble past.

Something for Everyone

It has been said that you can’t please everyone all of the time. But it would appear that the redesigned Compass is Jeep’s attempt to do just that. The new Compass not only fits them into the CUV category that is in such high demand both domestically and abroad, they are poised to dominate it, all while still having the offroad chops in their Trailhawk to keep the hardcore base from dismissing it as though it were another overproduced Patriot or Liberty.

The thorough improvement of this second generation Compass puts Jeep in a position to appeal to nearly everyone. With Wrangler’s cultish following (and new JL platform), Cherokee and Grand Cherokee’s elevated standing in the off road strata, recent innovation in the Renegade line, and “Trailhawk” becoming an ever more present and respected buzzword in four-wheeling communities, Jeep has its sight set on exponential growth and diversification. The trick will be to do so without sullying their good name.

The Liberty, Patriot, and the old Compass all attained a certain level of commercial popularity, if for no other reason than the four letters stamped into the center of their grilles. Yet the innermost Jeep circles never really claimed them as legitimate family. They’ve never been more than a kids table full of cousins with questionable blood ties. The goal with this new Jeep Compass Trailhawk is to see that table overturned, taking its place at the head of the room next to the old stalwarts, the Wranglers and Cherokees, whose success allowed for such growth.

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